Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's decision to hold back from implementing a TikTok ban on state-issued devices has drawn criticism from national security experts and conservative groups, who argue that it leaves the state vulnerable to potential threats posed by the Chinese-owned social media app.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is facing criticism for his decision not to ban TikTok on government-issued devices in the state, despite more than 75% of other states having done so amid national security concerns.
In 2022, Walz stated that he was deferring to tech experts in his administration for recommendations on whether to implement a ban. He also equated TikTok to Twitter, arguing that both platforms can pose risks.
Walz's TikTok Stance Raises National Security Concerns Amidst Nationwide Ban
However, critics argue that Walz's stance is out of line with the actions of the Biden administration and numerous other states. President Biden has signed bills banning TikTok from federal devices and nationwide, unless TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests its entire stake by next year.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has expressed "national security concerns" related to TikTok's operations in the U.S., including the potential for the Chinese government to control data collection, manipulate the recommendation algorithm, or compromise personal devices.
Walz's TikTok Stance Raises National Security Concerns Amidst Nationwide Ban
Experts have warned that TikTok could give China "its greatest asymmetric advantage" in espionage and influence operations. Several states, including Wisconsin and Kansas, have cited these concerns in their decisions to ban the app on government devices.
Trent England, executive director of Save Our States, believes Walz's actions reflect an outdated view of U.S.-China relations that ignores China's aggressive stance.
Walz's TikTok Stance Raises National Security Concerns Amidst Nationwide Ban
"Walz is still in this '90s mindset that we're going to fix China by engaging with them," England said. "I think Walz is really a throwback to an earlier era of China relations that most people have determined was a failure."
TikTok is challenging the nationwide ban in federal court, arguing that it is unconstitutional. Pro-TikTok activists have also rallied in support of the platform, claiming it has helped businesses stay competitive.
Walz's TikTok Stance Raises National Security Concerns Amidst Nationwide Ban
However, national security experts and conservative groups continue to urge Walz to reconsider his stance on TikTok and implement a ban to protect the state from potential threats.
Fox News Digital reached out to both Walz's office and the Harris campaign for comment but did not hear back prior to publication time.
